Historic pact aims to streamline governance, support martyrs’ families, and boost development across Azad Kashmir
Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : The Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee, in agreement with the Governments of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, has finalized a comprehensive accord covering key administrative, financial, and developmental reforms.
Under this agreement, twelve refugee members will be excluded from ministries and funding, and the current eight refugee ministers will be relieved of their duties. The cabinet size will be reduced from thirty-six to twenty members, while the number of departments will also be decreased from thirty-two to twenty. A high-level constitutional committee, consisting of two federal ministers, two Azad Kashmir ministers, and two members of the Action Committee, will make final decisions on the abolition of refugee seats, departmental reductions, and the pensions and privileges of senior officials including judges, former presidents, prime ministers, ministers, and assembly members. This committee will exercise full oversight over the Azad Kashmir government, reviewing the agreement and ensuring its implementation through biweekly meetings.
Families of those martyred on October 1 and 2 will receive substantial financial assistance under the martyr package. Each bereaved family will be granted one government job, and injured individuals will be compensated with one million rupees each. All payments and appointments are to be completed within twenty days. Legal proceedings, including FIRs under the Anti-Terrorism Act, will be initiated against those responsible for loss of life and violence, with the formation of a judicial commission if necessary. Additionally, all cases filed against the Public Action Committee and citizens during the movement up to May 19, 2023, will be withdrawn.
In the education sector, two new intermediate and secondary boards will be established in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions. All educational boards will be affiliated with the Federal Board Islamabad, a process set to be completed within thirty days. A uniform education system and merit-based admissions will be implemented statewide. Moreover, a code of conduct for student organizations will be formulated within three months.
To enhance mobile services, eight billion rupees from the Azad Kashmir government’s IT department funds will be allocated. Mobile packages and service quality will be standardized to match those of Islamabad. Land registration for families affected by the Mangla Dam raising project will be completed within thirty days.
The Azad Kashmir Local Government Act of 1990 will be reinstated in its original form to empower local representatives fully. All local government funds will be transferred accordingly, with full implementation of Supreme Court rulings within ninety days.
Health initiatives include the release of funds within fifteen days to implement health cards for all residents of Azad Kashmir. MRI and CT scan machines will be provided in district and tehsil hospitals in phases, with the Government of Pakistan covering all associated costs.
For the electricity sector, the Government of Pakistan will provide ten billion rupees to improve infrastructure, accompanied by a detailed implementation plan. The Public Action Committee will collaborate with the Electricity Department to curb electricity theft, improve metering, disconnect illegal connections, and ensure recovery of dues.
Anti-corruption measures include the merger of the Azad Jammu Kashmir Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment, alongside the enactment of an Accountability Act based on Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau laws.
Infrastructure projects include a feasibility study for the construction of two tunnels on Neelum Valley Road, prioritized under the Saudi Development Fund. Plans for an international airport in Mirpur will be announced within the current fiscal year.
Tax reforms will bring property taxes in line with those of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within three months, while advance tax will be reduced based on the models of Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA.
Water and health infrastructure projects include feasibility studies for clean drinking water supply in ten districts, and funding for operation theaters and nursery units in all tehsil headquarters hospitals.
Public convenience initiatives include the construction of two new bridges at Gilpur and Rehman (Kotli), a water supply scheme and transmission line project for Dadyal’s Kashmir Colony, granting of property rights to refugees in Mandor Colony, Dadyal, and the repair and reconstruction of the Kahota to Azad Pattan road in Sudhanoti district.